'Not going to be a friendly' - Leeds United star Jayden Bogle's declaration ahead of Manchester United clash
Jayden Bogle has discussed Leeds United’s upcoming friendly clash with Manchester United in Dublin
Jayden Bogle does not believe Leeds United’s upcoming meeting with Manchester United in Dublin can be described as a friendly.
The bitter rivals are set to do battle at Dublin’s Croke Park on Wednesday (August 12), with the fixture being the penultimate friendly of the summer for both clubs.
It is the second consecutive summer in which the Whites and the Red Devils have met ahead of the Premier League season, having played out a goalless draw in Sweden last summer.
Jayden Bogle on Manchester United ‘friendly’
There may be no points on the line, but a fixture between such fierce rivals is likely to have a competitive edge.
When asked if the game can really be described as a friendly, Bogle told LUTV: “No, you can’t. Even though it is pre-season, it is not going to be a friendly. We will recover now and then prepare for that one next.”
Leeds United’s pre-season work
Bogle was speaking after Leeds’ 2-0 friendly win over RB Leipzig at Elland Road, which was played across two 60-minute halves.
The 26-year-old defender and his teammates were back on home turf having played their first three friendlies in the USA.
He said: “It was good. It was enjoyable and nice to be back as well. Overall, it was a good game in both sixties. Even though it is still pre-season, getting back in our home was important. We had a good few games away as well but, yeah, everyone was buzzing to be back.
“It was nice [playing and training in the USA], a bit different to what we have done previously. But again, I think as it got towards the end, everyone was excited to get back home and get back for this game as well.”
Facing different styles
Leeds have now faced Wrexham, Sunderland, Liverpool and RB Leipzig in friendly matches, facing a range of different playing styles.
RB Leipzig brought their trademark counter-press to West Yorkshire, but it was handled well by Daniel Farke’s men.
Bogle said: “That is what we have been working on as well. We know that in the Premier League, you are going to get teams that are going to counter-press really quick.
“You have to be good on the ball but stay as calm as possible to try and take the press out of it. So yeah, I think we showed that really well at times today.”